A. The presiding officer of any hearing or Alternative Dispute Resolution Program proceeding before the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission may require payment of reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party if the position of the nonprevailing party was without reasonable basis or was frivolous.
B. Requests by prevailing parties for payment of attorney fees and costs shall be filed by motion with a copy served on other parties within ten (10) days of the date that the decision is issued. A responsive pleading may be filed within ten (10) days of the date the motion is filed with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission. The motion shall be filed at the office of the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission to the attention of the presiding officer and the ruling on the motion shall be made in an addendum decision.
C. The motion for fees and costs shall state why the prevailing party believes he or she is entitled to an award under this statute and shall be supported by evidence substantiating the amount of the request. Such evidence shall include the following:
1. Accurate and current time records;
2. A copy of the terms of any fee agreement between the party and the attorney;
3. The attorney's customary billing rate for similar work, provided the attorney has a billing practice to report; and
4. Evidence of the prevailing community rate sufficient to establish a market value for the services rendered.
D. If the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission determines that the appeal is frivolous, any party may be assessed attorney fees and costs of the action.
E. A petition for judicial review by the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission of the addendum decision shall be filed in accordance with Article II of the Administrative Procedures Act, within ten (10) days of the issue date of said decision.
Added by Laws 1990, c. 279, § 3, emerg. eff. May 25, 1990. Renumbered from § 841.15A of this title by Laws 1994, c. 242, § 54. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 310, § 20, emerg. eff. June 5, 1995.